Apparel – Guard or protector – For wearer's head
Reexamination Certificate
2001-05-11
2002-07-16
Lindsey, Rodney M. (Department: 3765)
Apparel
Guard or protector
For wearer's head
C002S410000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06418564
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
The invention pertains to protective headgear. More particularly, the invention relates to helmets designed for easy removal after injury to the wearer.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various types of helmets have been developed for protection of the wearer. Nearly all provide some degree of cushioning from impacts and shock resistance and many incorporate novel systems to provide for ease of removal. U.S. Pat. No. 5,787,513 issued to Sharmat et al provides for a helmet that splits along a vertical axis, having a hinge at the top portion of the helmet and fastening means at either side.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,987,495 issued to Holley, discloses a motorcycle helmet designed to split along a central vertical plane running from the front to the rear of the helmet. The design is intended to provide a helmet that can be easily stored in a narrow space, such as a motorcycle saddlebag. U.S. Pat. No. 5,390,367, issued to Rush III discloses a one-piece helmet combined with an inflatable protective means attached to the lower circumference of the helmet. The protective means is instantly inflated upon impact with the crown of the helmet.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,324,005 is sued to Willis does not include a helmet, but rather employs a series of inflatable flaps that are inflated by a gas cylinder or manually by mouth when so desired by the wearer. U.S. Pat. No. 4,955,089 issued to Beale describes a hard hat that splits along a horizontal axis, requiring a series of fasteners along the joint between the upper and lower portions of the hard hat. U.S. Pat. No. 4,274,161 issued to Littler includes a one-piece helmet with manually inflatable collar attached to the lower circumference of the helmet. U.S. Pat. No. 5,133,084 issued to Martin discloses an inflatable safety collar that is actuated by a ripcord fastened to the vehicle of the user.
While other variations exist, the above-described designs for protective headgear are typical of those encountered in the prior art. It is an objective of the present invention to provide a helmet that will protect the wearer from impacts, punctures, crushing and abrasive forces. It is a further objective to provide a helmet that may be quickly and easily removed from the head with minimum injury to the wearer. It is a still further objective of the invention to provide a means for stabilizing the neck of the helmet wearer with respect to his head and body in the event of an accident. It is yet a further objective to provide a means to determine the appropriate time to deploy such stabilizing means based upon the relative position of the helmet wearer with respect to his vehicle. Finally, it is an objective of the invention to provide means to easily remove the stabilizing means when required for further care of the wearer.
While some of the objectives of the present invention are disclosed in the prior art, none of the inventions found include all of the requirements identified.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention addresses many of the deficiencies of prior art protective headgear and satisfies all of the objectives described above.
A helmet providing the desired features may be constructed from the following components. A rigid, outer shell is provided. The outer shell includes a front portion and a mating rear portion. Each of the front and rear portions have a lower surrounding edge. The front portion includes an opening to provide forward visibility for a wearer. Means are provided for removably attaching the front portion to the rear portion. A resilient, padded inner liner is provided. The liner includes a first portion and a mating second portion. The first portion is sized and shaped to fit within the front portion of the outer shell. The second portion is sized and shaped to fit within the rear portion of the outer shell. Means are provided for securing the helmet to a head of the wearer.
In a variant of the invention, the means for removably attaching the front portion to the rear portion further includes a series of mating orifices in the front portion and in the rear portion. The orifices are located adjacent to an intersection between the front portion and the rear portion. A flexible cable is provided. The cable has a first predetermined cross-section, a first end and a second end and is sized and shaped to fit slidably through the mating orifices. The cable is threaded through the mating orifices and secures the front portion to the rear portion. Means are provided for removably attaching the first end to the second end. Means are provided for withdrawing the cable from the mating orifices. When the first end of the cable is detached from the second end, the cable may be withdrawn from the mating orifices and the front portion separated from the rear portion.
In a further variant, the means for removably attaching the first end of the cable to the second end includes first and second cable terminators. Each of the cable terminators has a first end, a second end and a cross-section no larger than the first predetermined cross-section. The first cable terminator is fixedly attached at its first end to the first end of the flexible cable and the second cable terminator is fixedly attached at its first end to the second end of the flexible cable. Each of the second ends of the first and second cable terminators includes a notch.
A retaining clip is provided. The retaining clip is formed of rigid material, has a U-shaped cross-section, is sized and shaped to fit frictionally over the cable terminators and includes a pair of protruding tabs. The tabs are sized, shaped, and located to removably engage the notches in the second ends of the terminators. When the second ends of the first and second cable terminators are placed adjacent each other and the retaining clip is pressed downwardly over the terminators, with the protruding tabs engaging the notches in the second ends of the cable terminators, the first and second cable ends will be removably attached.
In yet another variant of the invention, the means for removably attaching the first end of the cable to the second end includes first and second cable terminators. Each of the cable terminators has a first end, a second end and a cross-section no larger than the first predetermined cross-section. The first cable terminator is fixedly attached at its first end to the first end of the flexible cable and the second cable terminator is fixedly attached at its first end to the second end of the flexible cable. Each of the second ends of the first and second cable terminators includes a central stem and a securing portion attached to the stem.
A retaining clip is provided. The retaining clip is formed of rigid material, has a U-shaped cross-section, is sized and shaped to fit frictionally over the cable terminators and includes two pair of protruding tabs. The tabs are sized, shaped, and located to removably surround the central stems of the second ends of the cable terminators, drawing the securing portions of the terminators together. When the second ends of the first and second cable terminators are placed adjacent each other and the retaining clip is pressed downwardly over the terminators, with the protruding tabs surrounding the central stems of the second ends of the cable terminators, the first and second cable ends will be removably attached.
In still another variant, the means for removably attaching the first end of the cable to the second end includes an adhesive container. The container is sized and shaped to constrain the first end of the cable in close proximity to the second end of the cable. An adhesive is provided. The adhesive is poured into the adhesive container and over the first and second ends of the cable and allowed to dry. When the adhesive has dried, the first and second ends of the cable will be removably attached until sufficient tension is directed to separate the first end of the cable from the second end of the cable and the adhesive fails to grip either of the first and second ends of the cable.
In yet another variant of the invention, the means for re
Belasco David A.
Belasco Jacobs & Townsley LLP
Lindsey Rodney M.
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